Slums & Cemeteries

Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”

It is a nice day out. The breeze is warm, the sun is shining and it is just the picture perfect day for a walk. As you are walking and enjoying the beautiful day, you walk past a cemetery. It is manicured half-decently, but can tell it is not a priority of the green keepers. You look over and see a group of people sitting on the ground. One is standing and looks to be telling the group something, and by his expression it appears to be very important.

You wonder why in the world is that group of people sitting in a cemetery, and what is so important? Are they some weird cult trying to bring back the spirit of some long lost relative, or some quasi-important person of the past? Maybe they are one of those weird Gothic Poetry clubs, but they are not all dressed in black. They are though dressed in very tattered clothes and now that you are closer, you can see that they do not appear to be washed either.

Now you are in ear shot and realize that this is a church service going on. Why would anyone hold a church service in a graveyard? It seems a little morbid, doesn’t it? This is exactly where Pastor Philip of Mysore, India has started his second church that reaches out to the slum people (their words not mine). Still, why a graveyard? It is because they already have a church in their home and then there is still much persecution in Mysore, so there is no way to attain a building and the people that come do not have homes, and it is too far to travel to their home. This is the best place they have to hold a service and not be bothered by superstitious Hindus. Like we would think, most passing by would not think it was a Church Service.

When he told me this I did not know how to respond. I thought he was joking with me at first, but there was no punch line. This man of God takes the Bible to the people, wherever they allow him to preach it, even with the threat of real persecution. Amazing! If the poor in your community asked you to come to your local graveyard to teach a Bible Study or preach the Word, would you? Or would you make some excuse that you are not qualified or not enough time? If not you, then who?

If you do not think you are qualified to lead at least a Bible study then you better go and learn how, as you are required by 1 Peter 3:15 to be ready with answers. The great commandment also tells us to go forth and make disciples. How can you do that if you can not teach someone about the Inerrant Word of God?

Psalm 126:5-6, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”